Should Society Focus On Empowering Men Because Of Financial Responsibility?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Since Islamic law gives financial responsibility to the husband, how should we understand this when men face economic or social challenges?
Does this mean society should focus on empowering men instead of women, and how does this relate to women’s right to education and personal growth?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
It is true that in a marital situation, the financial responsibility in Islam is placed on the shoulders of the husband. This responsibility would remain true regardless of the economic situation or claimed social disempowerment in the modern era. Challenges in fulfilling our individual or collective responsibilities don’t grant us a license to escape those responsibilities or to regard ourselves as no longer responsible.
Allah (Most High) says:
“Men are caretakers of women by what Allah has given one over the other and by what they spend of their wealth.” [Quran, 4:34]
At the same time, Sacred Law recognizes human limits, as Allah says:
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.” [Quran, 2:286]
Therefore, those who have been obliged with financial responsibility by Sacred Law should fulfill their responsibility to the best of their ability, knowing that Allah is most merciful and does not burden them beyond their capacity, and Allah knows best.
Should Society Prioritize Empowering Men?
To superimpose these responsibilities as ideals over society would be to assume that only husbands are required to work in the workforce. The reality is that many people are not married and must support their parents, siblings, or children. While ideally every Muslim woman should have a male to be financially responsible for her, this is not a lived reality for many people.
Education and Personal Development For Women
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” [Ibn Maja]
Women’s right to education and personal growth is not affected. Islam encourages and supports both men and women in seeking knowledge and developing themselves. Economic challenges may influence these areas, but they do not make them forbidden. Allah knows best.
Remember that Sayyida Khadija (Allah be pleased with her) was a businesswoman, and the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) worked with her wealth.
Related
- What is the Responsibility of the Husband Upon Marriage?
- Does a Wife Have Claims Over Her Husband’s Wealth? – Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
- Is It Impermissible for Me to Work Even If I Observe Proper Limits?
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town. He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
